Is there any way to get puppy's and cats to get along?
Zoey is a bearded collie. Harry is a 5yr old cat we adopted. Fluffy is a really shy ragdoll. We thought the household would eventually adjust - There's been no bloodshed...but it's not turning out exactly the way we planned. It's been 2 months (we've had the cats 5 years). Fluffy has claimed the upstairs and protects the steps from all pup advances like a lioness. Harry comes downstairs but Harry and Zoey are batting at each other (Zoey thinks it's a great game and Harry's really ticked off). Zoey has tried to nip Harry's tail. There is a lot of hissing and wimpering. Zoey makes a lot of sudden pouncing moves that scares the cats. Any advice? Will this get better as Zoey gets older? How do people get all those cute pictures of cats and dogs sleeping together? Thanks |
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| I'm not really sure what to suggest other than to give it time. They may or may not learn to get along someday. The cats may simply learn to stay out of the dogs way. The best relationships between cats and dogs that I have seen have been forged as babies. After that, the cat is fair game to the dog. |
Thanks for the response. I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed. Luckily, I have a fearless cat that won't give up his territory to a puppy. I'm beginning to think Harry cat is an important member of our household training team.  |
| Dear dst,
I'm a new member on this site, I just adopted 1yr old Alfe - English Sheepie. After reading your message, I'm getting a little worried...I too, have cats (X3) for about 7 years (can be grumpy stuck up buggers - love them the same). We knew we would need to give them some time for them to learn about each other but sounds like there's not much peace at your home. We only adopted Alfe becase we wanted to share our home with another being...but if they can't get along, I'm afraid I might have to give him back...my question to you is, how long should you think we need to give them?  |
| We have 2 cats and so far they do not get along with Barney. We've have Barney for about 6 months now and he LOVES to chase them. The grey cat knows to stay out of his way and will just hang out upstairs for the most part but the other cat loves to tease Barney. He will run after him and swipe at Barney's nub and then Barney will turn around and chase him. So, for them I think it is mostly a game, but it is frustrating because Barney is so big that I'm afraid he'll brake something when he is galluping through the house.
When we are gone we keep the animals separated (Barney is in the kitchen with a baby gate keeping him in, and the cats have free reign of the house, so if they wanted to they could jump into the kitchen (I doubt that they do, though). I'm just hoping that they'll learn to accept each other too, and that they'll calm down. Sometimes Barney nips at the cat's head, and I'm sure it's not mean, but if he were to actually get the cat's head IN his mouth, that'd be bad... So, I guess I have no advice...so just know this is pretty common and hopefully will get better... |
| DST and Alfe
I have two OES, Barney (1 yr old, raised as a pup) and Maggie (2 yr old rescued this past June). No cats, but Maggie was kept by a family for a month before I got her, who had a cat. I watched the two interact momentarily when I picked her up. Maggie wanted to play, but the cat was quick to take a swipe at her nose with its claw. My conclusion, if they don't get along, they will quickly learn to keep their distance. Congrats on the rescue; I was apprehensive about the situation when I brought Maggie home. She is dominant and Barney, still thinking he is a puppy, just wants to play. At first I thought there would be bloodshed, but though they still play rough, they respect one another. I have found that the breed is very intelligent, stick to you like velcro, and respond well to training as long as they know you are in charge. Spoil them and you'll have problems. Read the many threads regarding behavior. They contain a great deal of wisdom. I also recommend "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennel. The chapter on Amichien Bonding is key to successful training, because you teaches you how to be in charge. Also read the posts on grooming; the sheepdog is a beautiful animal, but the coat mats easily and when that happens, they seem to multiply and if left unattended can cause skin problems. |
| Hi and welcome the the forum and the wonderful world of sheepdogs.
Our cat was queen of the house for 7 years til we got Mojo six months ago. I wish I could tell you they are best friends, they're not, but they are not enemies either. Mojo wants very much to play with her. She tolerates him and I think takes great pleasure in teasing him! It took maybe a month before she would roam freely around the house. She has the upstairs all to herself and when downstairs she sits up high where she can watch and Mojo goes silly because he can't play with her. It's their little game. Hope you can give it some more time and they work it out. |
| We've had Bosley with us for 4 months and he so badly wants to play with my shelties. One will sometimes respond with play bows and will start a game of chase, but he gets too boisterous and hurts her, so they always have to be supervised. Otherwise I keep them separated by a baby-gate. The other one just refuses to have anything to do with him. sigh...On the other hand he does have a lab buddy that will tire him out, and they play great together. My advice is to get a canine playmate close to his size that he can visit once in a while. |
| OK, my turn to add my 2 cents:
We've had Chris for 6 years. As a baby she spent time around a dog and then on family vacations as well. A few years ago we decided she needed another feline playmate. That did not go well. After 3 months and CHris "marking" the newer cat's bed, he had to go with my inlaws and got along great with there dog but only after time. Chris was not happy about Pooh Bear, but now they are friends. It's been over a year and she is used to him. She dos play with him but sometimes wants nothing to do with him. She has no claws, but she does have teeth. Pooh does not like the bites and has learned when to leave her alone. Yours will too! |
Welcome to the forum.... as to cats getting used to a new family member, they often take longer at it than dogs in my experience, but that doesn't mean it won't work. Just give them time and space, try not to intervene unless you have to and hopefully they'll sort out their own place in your home and your lives.  |
| We've had a cat for four years now and just got a puppy. The puppy is six weeks old. We have introduced the two, but only received hissing and growling from bubbles (the cat). She stays hidden while penny is out, but Iwas wondering is there any way to get to come out of hiding? I don't expect them to be best buds, but I do expect them to coexist. Any suggestions? |
| Welcome to the forum.
6 weeks is really too young for a pup to be away from his litter mates, as important bonding skills may not have taken place. Not sure what the circumstances are, if it was a rescue, etc., but I can only hope that a breeder did not place a pup at this age. Regarding the relationship, you will really need to give time for both parties to adjust. It took about 2+ weeks for our tabby cat to adjust to puppies that have entered our household. |
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